‘If there’s a vacancy, definitely I’ll take that’: Darrell Bradley says he is prepared to lead UDP

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Former Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley says he would be prepared to take over leadership of the United Democratic Party if the position becomes vacant, while insisting he is not presently campaigning against Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar Panton.

Appearing on Channel 7’s Uncut with Jules Vasquez, Bradley was pressed on whether he would leave his current studies in Canada and return to Belize to lead the UDP if Panton’s leadership were to become untenable.

“If there’s a vacancy in the leadership of the UDP, definitely I’ll take that,” Bradley said. He later said he is actively working toward making a contribution at the “top level” of national politics, describing himself as “an option” for the party rather than declaring that he must become leader.

Bradley repeatedly stressed, however, that he has no personal quarrel with Panton. He said he communicates with her regularly, met with her within the past two weeks and wants to see the UDP unified rather than divided.

Bradley also revealed that he remains in frequent communication with former UDP leader Shyne Barrow. Asked directly whether he was working in tandem with Barrow, Bradley said the two do not speak every day but are in “frequent communication.” He used his relationships with both Barrow and Panton to reject suggestions that he is aligned with one faction of the UDP against another, saying there is “no division” between himself and Panton and that his focus is on bringing people together.

Later in the interview, Bradley also praised Barrow personally, describing him as a “tremendously remarkable individual” who had overcome significant adversity and saying that Barrow still has something to offer the UDP, even if that does not necessarily mean serving as its leader. Barrow, who previously served as UDP Leader and Leader of the Opposition, has remained politically active and has continued publicly commenting on the direction of the party since leaving its leadership.

Panton remains Leader of the Opposition and UDP leader. Bradley said his conversations with various elements of the party are aimed at rebuilding the UDP around what he described as a reform agenda focused on cost of living, organizational strength, new candidates and stronger leadership.

There is also a constitutional hurdle for Bradley. The UDP Constitution requires its party leader to be a member of the National Assembly, an issue that has affected Bradley before. He previously sought the UDP leadership while serving as President of the Senate.

Bradley, who served two terms as Belize City Mayor, said he intends to return to electoral politics but again declined during the interview to identify the constituency in which he would run.

Throughout the interview, he maintained that rebuilding the UDP cannot depend on a single “savior,” but said he believes he can help provide the organization, communication and unifying approach needed to make the party competitive again.

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